Multnomah County is recruiting volunteers to serve on a Community Task Force, an advisory body that will provide important input during the environmental study phase of the Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge project.
Portland’s aging downtown bridges are not expected to withstand a major earthquake, so Multnomah County is taking the lead on making at least one earthquake-ready. The Burnside Bridge is a key downtown link across the Willamette River along Burnside Street, a regionally established lifeline route that extends from Washington County to Gresham.
The county is nearing the end of a feasibility study that will narrow more than 100 bridge replacement and rehabilitation options to a short list that will be evaluated during the next phase. The environmental study phase ends with selection of the preferred alternative.
Community Task Force members will be asked to serve during the 3-year environmental review phase. Meetings will be held on a weekday evening approximately every 2-3 months in a central location convenient to transit, starting in October. Dinner will be provided.
Members will provide input to the project team during the environmental phase and recommendations to decision makers at key project milestones. They will also connect the project to their organization or interest group.
Multnomah County is seeking a diverse group of volunteers who use the Burnside Bridge and will depend on it during a major earthquake, including:
- Bicyclists
- Business owners/representatives
- Commercial drivers
- Drivers
- Emergency service providers
- Pedestrians
- People with disabilities
- Residents
- River users
- Social service providers
- Transit riders
Task force members should be able to represent the interests of an organization or interest group and actively participate in a consensus-building group process. No professional design experience is required.
To apply
Individuals interested in serving need to complete an online application form by the close of business on Friday, August 17, 2018. Applicants can also complete a hard copy of the application and return it to Multnomah County’s Communications Office via mail (501 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 6th Floor, Portland, OR 97214) or e-mail (burnsidebridge@multco.us). For information, call 503-209-4111 or visit www.burnsidebridge.org.
